MISSION ACTION DAY

The College's annual Mission Action Day, held on the Friday before Labour weekend was again a highly successful and enjoyable day. After a liturgy commemorating the 60th anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Francis Vernon Douglas, the students, walked, ran and ambled their way around the 9 kilometre course. The wonderful generosity of our College community and the wider local community saw just over $12,000.00 raised to date, with a little more money still to come in.This generous spirit is greatly appreciated by our fellow Lasallian institution, Hohola Youth Development Centre in Papua New Guinea. Special thanks and congratulations to Joshua Hickford and Daniel Malili for raising over $100.00 each in sponsorship. Click here to see photos.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMMES

We would like to congratulate some of our students who have completed the formation programme for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Baptism at St. Joseph's Parish.

They are John Froude, Matthew Westbury and Zac Milner who will be baptised on the 23rd November and Nick Dravitzki who will be receiving the sacrament of First Communion.

The First Communion Programme for next year will begin on 16th May with the Confirmation Day being 20th June 2004 for Year 11 students and up.

If you have any questions regarding any of the programmes please contact Margo La Berge.

YOUTH MASS

A BIG thank you to all students who participated in our monthly youth masses. To end the year we are having a Beach Mass and BBQ on Sunday 7th December. We will meet in St. Joseph's car park at 6.15 pm and will then ‚Äòconvoy' to Oakura. The evening will finish at 9.30. Come celebrate and share faith, food and fun !

WANTED !!!

Your old Pentium PC with Windows 95 or higher to use in the science department in conjunction with programmable chips for the 2004 science programme. We can arrange for your PC to be picked up. Contact Mike Crow.

CPP NEWS

Congratulations to Nathan Nelson for his determination and perseverance in work experience ‚Äì he now has a position with New Plymouth Timber Company.

Congratulations to Seth Payne whose commitment to work experience at Brumbies had lead him to a full time apprenticeship at Brumbies as a baker.Well done to Isaac Haywood and Matthew Cartwright who have completed National Certificate in Hospitality Level 2 at Practical Education Training Centre during CPP in 2003.

Congratulations to Richard Bence on obtaining a scholarship with G & H Trade Training for 2004.

STUDENT ALLOWANCES

Student Allowances can now be accessed by 16 and 17 year olds for tertiary courses starting on or after January 1st, 2004. Students will need to have completed Year 13 and gained university entrance.

Student Allowance and Bursary payments can now be applied for on line as well as student loans. The online application format follows the "Combo" paper application link www.studylink.govt.nz. Student allowance is available to students whose parents income is below the limit. Parents combined gross income must be under : $45,760 (if student is living at home) , $50,752 (if student is living away from home).

NATIONAL INDOOR ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIPS

National Indoor Archery Championships at Wellington in September, Andrew Barczak in year 8 was placed 1st in the Under 14 boys age group and Sam Connolly in year 10 was placed 2nd in the Under 16 Boys age group.

GAP 2005

STAND & BE COUNTED ‚Äì E TU TANGATA

In April 2004, parents and caregivers elect the people who govern each school in New Zealand. The role of school trustees is to ensure that students get the best education possible. They have an important role in overseeing how their school is run. They are there to keep the school on track and make a difference for their students.

Trustees have the overall responsibility for a school, and they play an important part in ensuring students gain an education that provides them with the skills and abilities that will help them achieve their future goals. Trustees' governance role includes strategic planning, and the management of property, personnel and finances.

Each school has a board and their trustees are parents, caregivers and members of the wider community who have a commitment to children. The election is an important process as it should result in strong boards that will oversee the development of the school.

Trustees are people who are committed to education. They have the skills to work with teachers and the community to provide quality education for our students.

About 20,000 people are needed to put their names forward. Why don't you stand and be counted for our students? Nominations open 5 March, 2004.

KANOHI KIT E KANOHI

WITT's M?Ñ¬Åori and Pacifica Centre is providing a day on 4th February 2004 where students and their families are able to meet the various supports that WITT provides on campus as well as support agencies in the community. An emphasis on the well being of M?Ñ¬Åori and Pasifika students is a special character of WITT, which ensures that cultural and spiritual needs are catered for providing a good balance to academic study. Senior M?Ñ¬Åori and Pasifika students considering tertiary studies are invited to attend this hui.

A reminder to all parents/caregivers that if your son is not coming to school or is going to be late, the office should be notified.